A new trajectory

Pope Francis has put the Roman Catholic Church in a new trajectory. Pope Benedict had insisted on backing away from many of the Vatican II reforms and had rejected Liberation theology. Pope Francis has clearly been steeped in Liberation theology and it colors everything that he does. He understands the preferential option for the poor. He is willing to speak out on justice issues.

I long to make comparisons between Archbishop Oscar Romero and Pope Francis. Romero was chosen because he was expected to be a moderate bookworm who would not disrupt the established systems of power and oppression in El Salvador. He shocked everyone by becoming an outspoken proponent of justice for the poor. Francis seems to be taking a similar, unexpected, course. I hope that the entrenched system does not decide to do away with Francis the way they did Archbishop Romero.